Why I Labelled My Fridge (And You Should Too)

Professional Organizers and Labels go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly (or nut-free soy butter and jelly, depending on your allergies). So, it is shocking to me that it took me this long to put labels inside my refrigerator.

For six weeks after I had my third child I didn't work. By this I really mean that I worked exclusively from home and didn't do any on-site client visits. This meant that I spent WAY more time in my house than I normally did. After the haze of newborn sleep deprivation started to wear off I began to notice things again.

All of the sudden the consequences of the exhaustion of third trimester followed by the demands of a newborn caught up with me. The "maintenance" step of my organized home had fallen through the cracks and I started to walk through the house and every closet I opened or room I went into was making me crazy. I actually said those words so often that it became a running joke between my husband and I.

I would walk into a room and say "Oh my gawd Ben" and he would always reply with "let me guess, the room is making you crazy?!?!?!". I became fixated on the fridge though. As a nursing mom to a ravenous newborn I am constantly hungry, so I spent many frustrating hours searching through the fridge looking for food. One day I just couldn't take it anymore and I pulled EVERYTHING out.

There are few things more satisfying to me than emptying a space thoroughly cleaning it out and putting everything back in an organized way. It was almost better than a nap. Almost.

Empty And Organize

Since organizing items into zones had been working so well in the pantry I decided to implement the same strategy in the fridge. These zones will be different for everyone depending on the types of foods found in your fridge. To help determine your zones group like items together as you empty the fridge. Keep all the salad dressings together, the sauces, the leftovers, etc. We tend to have five or six types of mustards open at any moment so that is a zone that needed a designated space in our fridge. Maybe you have a hot sauce obsession. Whatever it is, make the system work for you.

Trash It

Now that you have everything organized into groups check all you expiry dates. Now obviously food doesn't immediately turn bad the day after it "expires" but if we are six months past the date on that BBQ sauce and you don't even remember buying it, let alone opening it, it may be time to say goodbye. Anything moldy or stinky has got to go too, so open those leftovers and be ruthless.

Clean It

Now that you have emptied the entire fridge take a few minutes and give it a serious wipe-down. Don't forget the shelves on the door and the fruit and veggie drawers. Might as well take advantage of the empty fridge and give it a good clean.

Assess

Take a look at the size and height of your food containers, bottles and jars. The fridge is empty so it's a great time to move around the glass shelves to accommodate all you food. Try to envision where everything will go and keep the most used food items in front. If you're not sure if something fits try it out. Adjust the shelf if needed. Move things around if it's not working. Try a Lazy Susan or clear fridge bins to help you organize it and make it accessible. It's your fridge, make it work for your needs.

Put It Back

Normally I would have you label things at this step, but that may take a few minutes and since it's your fridge we're talking about and your items are perishable that doesn't really make sense. So put all the food back before it spoils . Try to use temporary labels like post-its with tape to keep your fridge in order until you have more permanent labels.

Label It

I know it's a bit weird to have labels in your fridge, but without proper direction you won't know where to put things back or find them after. What has really worked for us is to label some zones, but not all. For the most part the food is grouped together by category but there are some items that are just going to have to hang out together because they are all tall or bulky. So instead of doing a "miscellaneous" label (ie an organizer's nightmare) I left it blank and crossed my fingers that common sense will prevail.

*** For the labels I used the FreeStyle Script font in MS Word, printed it out on Full Sheet Clear Decals from Avery and then covered the labels with clear Con-Tact shelf liner to make it washable.***

Maintain It

They key to any organizational system is proper maintenance. Put it back where it is supposed to go. Period. For more on why this step is so important click here.

Don't be afraid to change things up if the system stops working for you. Habits change, food preferences evolve. One system won't work forever, so don't forget to reassess every once in awhile and shake it up if needed.

Happy Organizing!

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Tips From Professional Organizers

Your Easiest Decluttering Starting Point(01 of06)

If you're stuck, start by setting a small goal, like tossing expired items found in your bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and closets. Not only are expired items the main thing Ashley Murphy and Molly Graves, the founders of NEAT Method, see their clients overlook, but they find getting rid of them encourages people to do more. Begin by checking the usual items, such as sunscreen and cosmetics, but don't forget about maple syrup, dish detergent and motor oil. (Use Real Simple's handy guideline for more surprising household staples that have expiration dates.) Once these items are gone, you'll see what you really need to organize. (credit:Thinkstock)

Your Clutter Problem Might Not Be What You Think It Is(02 of06)

In order to maintain a clutter-free home, you need to get to the root of why things pile up in the first place. The NEAT founders believe that most people fall into the following clutter personalities:

Too Busy = Too Many Extras: You buy items you already own because you don't have a system in place for where to store them or the time to search through all possible storage spots.

Constant Worrier = Must Save Everything: You're concerned that you "might" need something in the future, so you save everything, "just in case."

Overwhelmed in Life = Overwhelmed at Home: You don't know where to begin—so you just live with the chaos.

By identifying which category you fit into, you can avoid your weak spots. If you think you don't have time, start by carving out just 15 minutes a day to complete a small task like going through the mail (try using this coffee mug for inspiration). If you're a constant worrier, take inventory of your stuff to remind yourself that you have everything you need—for right now. And if you're overwhelmed in life, empty just one drawer, clean just one shelf; when a small task is completed successfully, that will inspire you to do more. (credit:Thinkstock)

Your Most Common Mistake(03 of06)

The NEAT duo has found that when most people shop for organizational solutions, they tend to overbuy plastic storage bins, to stow large things they don't use often, and small baskets, thinking they've got a lot of similar little items that need a home. But if they haven't first done a thorough purge, they end up with bins that don't fit their space and with fewer longterm storage needs and less itsy-bitsy clutter than they imagined. Ashley and Molly abide by this bedrock organizing principle: First, make piles of what you have, then shop with measurements-in-hand of the specific places in the home where the stuff will go. And don't forget to buy enough hangers and files; the two other items people underpurchase. They'll come in handy when you need to hang up costumes and put away cards -- which the organizers discovered are two of the most commonly hoarded items among men and women respectively. (credit:Thinkstock)

The Next Best Thing If You Hate Labeling(04 of06)

If you're in awe of meticulously marked kitchen pantries but don't want to spend the time or money labeling, then Ashley and Molly recommend clear organizers, which do the same job. Whether you're storing linens or desk supplies, see-through containers make it obvious where everything goes. (credit:Thinkstock and Getty Images)

Your Most Accurate Measuring Technique(05 of06)

If you've spent months unable to find a cutlery holder that fits, or a drawer caddy for your desk, it might be because you're not accurately measuring. Ashley and Molly kept running into this issue until they realized they needed to measure protruding screw heads, hinges and rounded sides or corners instead of just the width, length and height of the drawer. They suggest investing in a soft tape measure. Another hard-won tip? Carry a picture of what's inside the drawer with you while you're shopping, since they've found it easy to forget what items will go in the organizer. (credit:Thinkstock)

The Storage Item That Can Make Things Worse(06 of06)

Garment bags are a great way to move off-season clothes out of your small closet—but experts recommend avoiding plastic. Plastic garment protectors can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew in humid environments. Instead, make sure yours have linen on one or both sides, which lets clothes breathe. (Ashley and Molly suggest one like this.) (credit:Thinkstock)

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Why I Labelled My Fridge (And You Should Too)

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